Monday, November 30, 2015

The newestSpotlight Ontakes a look back at the Hunger Games franchise.Let's take a look back on the Hunger Games films score by score, and may the odds be ever in your favor.The Hunger Games (2012)Music by James Newton HowardWith the first film in the franchise, the score became a collaboration between James Newton Howard, Arcade Fire and T-Bone Burnett.In the end, most of the score remained forgettable with two notable exceptions: the Capitol fanfare (Horn of Plenty), and Rue’s Farewell.The latter composed by Howard has become the de facto emotional/rebellion theme for the film series.Many parts of the score incorporate a folk/Appalachian sound, with rough electronics and percussion added for the actual games.The identity and use of score thankfully improve in each film.(Just listen to: The Train, Horn of Plenty, Rue’s Farewell, Tenuous Winners/Returning Home)The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)Music by James Newton HowardIn this sequel, Howard has some reprises and expansions of the past themes.Rue’s Farewell and Horn of Plenty show up throughout the score, in addition to a new love theme.The score contains plenty of ambient sounds and a better grasp on the action music.(Just listen to: Katniss, I Need You, Arena Crumbles)The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)Music by James Newton HowardHoward nicely reflects the moody atmosphere even more in this sequel score.Here he builds upon previous themes, while capturing new emotions with violin and female vocal solos.The best new addition is The Hanging Tree (not written by JNH) but adapted and incorporated throughout.Easily the strongest of the scores.(Just listen to: District 12, The Arsenal, The Hanging Tree, Air Raid Drill, District 8 Hospital)The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)Music by James Newton HowardContinuing the darker tone, the score adds more emotional beats through solo performances and the action material works well.We get a few emotional reprises of past themes - Rue’s Farewell and the Deep in the Meadow lullaby heard in the first film. Hanging Tree surprisingly isn't referenced. It’s another strong JNH score and a great way to end this set of films.(Just listen to: Prim Visits Peeta, Sewer Attack, Primrose, There Are Worse Games To Play/Deep In The Meadow/The Hunger Games Suite)

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future in 2015, here is a guide to the scoring of each film with a few scoring photos tossed in. Back to the Future (1985)Music composed by Alan SilvestriConducted by Alan SilvestriOrchestrator: James B. CampbellMusic Editor: Kenneth KarmanRecorded and Mixed by: Dennis SandsRecorded at Burbank Studios (Warner Bros), May-June 1985Back to the Future Part II (1989)Music composed by Alan SilvestriConducted by Alan SilvestriOrchestrator: James B. CampbellMusic Editor: Kenneth KarmanEngineer: Dennis SandsRecorded at Burbank Studios (Warner Bros), September-October 1989 & Lorimar (Sony), November 1989Back to the Future Part III (1990)Music composed by Alan SilvestriConducted by Alan SilvestriOrchestrator: James B. CampbellMusic Editor: Kenneth KarmanRecorded and Mixed by: Dennis SandsRecorded at Burbank Studios (Warner Bros), March-April 1990With the original Back to the Future, the "Outatime Orchestra" (seen below) was the largest orchestra to perform on a Universal film. Scoring pictures from the 1985 sessions are below.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

As we celebrate the release of the 24th James Bond film - Spectre, here is a guide to the scoring of each Bond film with a few scoring photos tossed in. Dr. No (1962)Music composed by Monty Norman[James Bond Theme played by John Barry & Orchestra]Conducted by Eric RodgersRecorded CTS Bayswater, England - June 1962From Russia With Love (1963)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded CTS Bayswater, England - March 1963

Goldfinger (1964)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded CTS Bayswater, England - July 1964Thunderball (1965)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded at CTS Bayswater, England - October 1965You Only Live Twice (1967)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded at CTS Bayswater, England - April 1967

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded at CTS Bayswater, England - October 1969Diamonds Are Forever (1971)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded at CTS Bayswater, England - October 1971

Live and Let Die (1973)Music composed by George MartinConducted by George MartinRecorded at AIR Studios, England - April 1973The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded at CTS Wembley, England - October 1974The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)Music composed by Marvin HamlischConducted by Marvin HamlischRecorded at AIR Studios, England - April 1977Moonraker (1979)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded at Studio Davout, Paris - April 1979For Your Eyes Only (1981)Music composed by Bill ContiConducted by Bill ContiOrchestrated by Peter MyersRecorded at Music Centre Wembley, EnglandOctopussy (1983)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded at Music Centre Wembley, EnglandA View to a Kill (1985)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryOrchestrated by Nic RaineRecorded at CTS Wembley, England - March/April 1985The Living Daylights (1987)Music composed by John BarryConducted by John BarryRecorded at CTS Wembley, EnglandLicence to Kill (1989)Music composed by Michael KamenConducted by Michael KamenPerformed by the National Philharmonic OrchestraGoldenEye (1995)Music composed and performed by Eric SerraArrangement/additional music by John AltmanConducted by John AltmanSymphony recorded at Angel Studios, EnglandTomorrow Never Dies (1997)Music composed by David ArnoldConducted by Nicholas DoddOrchestrated by Nicholas DoddRecorded at AIR Lyndhurst, England

The World is Not Enough (1999)Music composed by David ArnoldConducted by Nicholas DoddOrchestrated by Nicholas DoddRecorded at AIR Lyndhurst, England

Die Another Day (2002)Music composed by David ArnoldConducted by Nicholas DoddOrchestrated by Nicholas DoddRecorded at AIR Lyndhurst, EnglandCasino Royale (2006)Music composed by David ArnoldConducted by Nicholas DoddOrchestrated by Nicholas DoddRecorded at AIR Lyndhurst, EnglandQuantum of Solace (2008)Music composed by David ArnoldConducted by Nicholas DoddOrchestrated by Nicholas DoddRecorded at AIR Lyndhurst, England